New Jersey criminal corruption sting largest in history The 2006 scheme is how Dwek originally came to the attention of federal prosecutors, who then turned him into an informant. Following his arrest, Dwek apparently spent 29 months as a cooperating witne
New Jersey criminal corruption sting largest in history
By Michael Webster: Syndicated Investigative Reporter. Nov 3, 2009 7:30 PM PST
Solomon Dwek, the wire wearing FBI informant turned witness for the federal government in the largest New Jersey criminal corruption sting in its history emerged recently from the federal protection program long enough to plead guilty to a $50 million bank fraud. Dwek, 37, pleaded guilty in federal court in Newark to one count each of money-laundering and bank fraud, charges that can put him in prison for up to 11 years.
As Mr. Dwek stood before U.S. District Judge Jose L. Linares in Newark in his less than 30-minute appearance he entered pleas to separate counts of bank fraud and money laundering in connection with two bogus checks totaling more than $50 million that he tried to deposit at the PNC Bank.
"I am guilty your honor," he declared, firmly and without hesitation. Later in Monmouth County, the scene was repeated before Superior Court Judge Thomas Scully in Freehold, where Dwek pled to similar state charges.
Many people are wondering about who Dwek really is and want to know more about him and the explosive details about his private con schemes and his role as the cooperating witness in one of the biggest ongoing federal corruption investigation where finally some details are starting to come to light.
The 2006 scheme is how Dwek originally came to the attention of federal prosecutors, who then turned him into an informant. Following his arrest, Dwek apparently spent 29 months as a cooperating witness, setting up rabbis and others in the religious community, as well as leaders which included sitting mayors, current political candidates and public officials on charges ranging from political corruption to money laundering in an undercover sting operation that prosecutors have called unprecedented in its scope.
Allegedly, Dwek snared 45 people in the string, of the 45, so far seven -- all from Hudson -- have pleaded guilty. Those who have been arrested and say they are innocent include the former mayors of Hoboken and Secaucus.
The U.S. Attorney’s office issued an advisory just before the hearing of which Dwek plead guilty saying only that "a central figure" in the July 23 arrests of 45 people on public corruption and money laundering charges would appear in federal court before U.S. District Judge Jose L. Linares in Newark. A spokesman for the office declined to answer questions. Dwek’s attorney did not return calls to our office. Dwek is described in nearly every criminal complaint and every indictment as a "cooperating witness who had been charged with bank fraud" but his name never appears in the court records and he has not appeared publicly in any court as a witness since the sting started.
The first trial for those accused in the corruption sting is scheduled for January 2010, and Dwek is expected to be the main witness in the case.
In less than four years, Dwek has gone
